On 7 April 2026, the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore ("CCS") unveiled revised Guidelines on Merger Procedures, an updated merger filing form ("Form M1"), and consequential amendments to its Guidelines on Directions and Remedies. The changes—which take effect on 1 May 2026—follow a public consultation last autumn and represent the most significant overhaul of Singapore's merger control framework in recent years.
The regulator's clear objective: a faster, more efficient, and more predictable merger review process.
Three headline changes stand out:
- A new fast-track for low-risk deals. The CCS has introduced a streamlined review track for mergers unlikely to raise competition concerns. Phase 1 timelines drop from 30 to 25 working days—a meaningful acceleration for time-sensitive transactions.